checkmate. | pi hanwool

Chapter 24

Gaeun hesitated. "He confessed," she said softly. "And I… did too."

A beat of stunned silence.

And then Jiwoo squealed, shaking her shoulder. "YOU WHAT?!"

Gaeun winced. "Not so loud!"

"Are you dating now?" Heewon asked, eyes gleaming.

"Not… exactly?" Gaeun replied. "I mean, we just said it. It wasn’t—official or anything."

Heewon clutched her chest dramatically. "You’re living my dream. Oh my god."

Gaeun rolled her eyes, but the corners of her mouth stayed lifted. It felt good—really good—to share this with her friends. After the chaos, the pain, the blood, and the fear... it was the first time in a while that she felt normal. Like a teenage girl in high school. Like someone with hope again.

But even as she laughed along with Jiwoo and Heewon, her mind drifted to the ICU. To the sterile, humming beeps of the machines keeping her mother stable. To Gamin, who still refused to talk about the incident unless absolutely necessary.

Her hand unconsciously went to the healing wound at her side.

Heewon noticed her change in expression and gently nudged her. "You okay?"

Gaeun nodded slowly. "Yeah. Just… still adjusting."

"We’re here," Jiwoo said softly, more serious now. "Whatever you need."

Gaeun smiled and gave a small nod. "Thanks."

As the day went on, Gaeun tried to focus, though her thoughts slipped between the warmth of Hanwool’s confession and the cold fluorescent lights of the ICU.

But beneath it all, one thing was clear—she wasn’t alone anymore.

And whatever came next, she was ready for it.

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The walk home after school was unusually quiet.

Gaeun matched her pace with Gamin’s, their shoes scuffing against the pavement in rhythmic sync. The spring breeze was soft, but the weight hanging between them was thick. Neither had spoken much since they left the school gates—Gamin with his usual guarded expression, and Gaeun silently trying to work up the courage to say what she needed to.

The trees lining the sidewalk rustled above them. The sun was just beginning to dip, casting everything in a soft, golden hue. It reminded Gaeun of those rare peaceful afternoons they used to share—before everything turned upside down.

When their apartment complex came into view, Gaeun decided she couldn't let another day pass without saying it.

"Gamin," she started, breaking the silence.

He turned his head slightly, eyebrows raised in a mild grunt that meant Yeah?

She looked forward again, inhaling. "I talked to Hanwool."

Gamin didn’t stop walking, but his steps slowed. "When?"

"Earlier. At school. On the rooftop."

Silence stretched between them again as they reached the apartment lobby and rode the elevator. Gamin’s jaw clenched, but he said nothing. When they entered the apartment, Gaeun slipped off her shoes and dropped her bag by the door. Gamin tossed his onto the couch and headed straight for the fridge.

"Do you want to talk about it?" she asked cautiously, sitting on the kitchen counter.

"No," Gamin replied, grabbing a bottle of water. "But I’m guessing you’re going to anyway."